Since 1873 Mr. Colley has been a resident of Kansas. He is, however, a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in West Portsmouth, in the Buckeye state, on the 15th of October, 1844. He is descended from good old Revolutionary stock, his grandfather, John Colley, having been one of the heroes in the war for independence. Abel Colley, the father of our subject, was a native of Virginia and married Miss Catherine Spencer, a daughter of Thomas Spencer. By this union ten children were born, namely: Allen, Sam, Julia, Sarah, William H. H., Jane, James, George, William M. and Mary. The family has always been noted for its loyalty, and during the civil war three of the sons served in the Union army, Allen being a member of the Thirty-ninth Ohio Infantry, while Sam served for thirteen months in the Fifty-sixth Ohio Infantry. The former is still living in the Buckeye state, but the latter died in Doniphan county in 1865, leaving a family. The father, Abel Colley, spent his last days in Ohio, where his death occurred in March, 1894, at the age of eighty-four years.

William H. H. Colley obtained his education in the public schools, and was only nineteen years of age when he enlisted in his country's service, becoming a member of Company I, Thirty-ninth Ohio Infantry, under the commands of Captain Pitinger and Colonel Webber. He served until the close of the war and was honorably discharged at Camp Dennison, on the 10th of July, 1865. His company was assigned to the First Brigade, First Division, and was for some time stationed at Ringgold, Georgia, under the command of General Stearnes. Mr. Colley was always found at his post of duty, loyally defending the cause represented by the old flag, and when the war was over and he returned to his home in Ohio, with an honorable military record.

On the 18th of February, 1873, was celebrated the marriage of our subject and Miss Nancy Martin, a native of Indiana and a daughter of Glen and Agatha Martin. Her father died in Missouri and her mother passed away in Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Colley now have two children: Julia, the wife of A. D. Miller, of St. Joseph, Missouri, by whom she has three children, Ethel N., Arthur Lloyd and Alvin Manford; and Harrison, who was born November 6, 1875, and is living with his parents. The children have both been provided with good educational privileges and the daughter was a successful teacher prior to her marriage.

In 1873 Mr. Colley came to Kansas and has since been a resident of Doniphan township. He is now cultivating a good farm in Wayne township, and is accounted one of the leading and progressive agriculturists of his community. His political support is given the Republican party, and he keeps well informed on the issues of the day. Socially he is connected with Wathena Post, G. A. R. As a citizen he is active in the advocacy of all measures for the public good and is to-day as loyal and true as when he followed the stars and stripes upon the battle fields of the south. His manner is pleasant and cordial and this has rendered him a popular citizen, bringing him a wide circle of friends.